Chapter 17
True to Zeiger's words, maaga nga siya at sa bahay kumain ng dinner sa araw na iyon. He really did changed. Palagi na siyang kumakain ng breakfast at dinner sa bahay. Lunch's excluded since malayo ang opisina niya at matatagalan siya kapag umuwi pa siya sa bahay para kumain.
It was a sunny morning, I was sitting on the couch, holding a bowl of popcorn, while watching Harry Potter series. My Potterhead side's kicking again. Kahit ilang beses ko na itong pinanuod, I'm still addicted.
Nakatunganga ako sa TV nang biglang may nag-popped up na idea sa utak ko. May utak pala ako?
I glanced at the wall clock and saw that it's only 10:00 in the morning. I stood up and turned off the TV before treading towards the kitchen.
If Zeiger can't come home, might as well I'll go there, right? Pwede naman siguro 'yon. Asawa ko naman siya, diba?
Napasimangot ako nang makitang halos wala nang kalaman-laman ang ref. Great! I forgot to buy groceries.
Napabuga ako ng hangin bago pumanhik sa taas. I changed into a tattered jeans and then fitted black sleeveless shirt and partnered it with my sneakers. I also tied my hair into a messy bun before going out of the room. I took the car keys and my wallet as I checked and locked everything in the house before storming out.
Tamad na sumakay ako sa aking kotse at pinaharurot ito paalis. I decided to just buy some groceries sa malapit na department store or something. Kaunti lang ang bilbilhin ko dahil magtatanghali na. Baka 'di ko na maabotan si Zeiger 'pag nagtagal pa ako.
As I arrived at the store, I parked my car, went out, and stormed inside the store. I took a cart with me as I lazily pushed it as I walked.
I searched for the things I needed for cooking Zeiger's lunch. Mahilig kasi sa karne si Zeiger. Hindi naman siya tumataba. I don't know, but I guessed, he usually went to a gym.
Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagtitimbang ng karne nang may tumawag sa akin.
"Elaine?"
Natigilan ako at natulos ako sa kinatatayuan ako. That sweet soothing voice...
"Elaine, is that you?"
Kumabog ng mabilis ang puso ko kasabay ng dahan-dahan kong pagharap sa aking likuran. And then as I faced her, my eyes started to water.
Bumuka ang bibig niya pero agad din niyang itinikom at ngumiti sa akin ng malapad. Nangilid din ang kaniyang luha sa kaniyang mga mata habang tinitignan ako. Ang ganda niya pa din hanggang ngayon.
"Oh gosh! Ikaw nga iyan!" she exclaimed as she walked closely to me and pulled me into a hug.
"I missed you, Elaine," she said as I felt her kissed my head.
Napangiti ako kasabay ng pagtulo ng luha ko. "I-I missed you too, T-Tita Ange..."
Niyakap ko siya pabalik. Napakagat ako sa pang-ibabang labi ko, pinipigilan ang paghikbi. It felt like I just saw my mother for how many years! Even she's really not my mom, but the fact that she stood as my mother before made it like she's already my mom as well. She's Athena's mom, after all.
"I missed you, Tita."
Narinig ko ang pagsinghot ni Tita dahilan para manakip ang dibdib ko. Her hug tighten as I gently caressed her back.
Nang bumitaw siya, sabay kaming natawa at pinunasan ang aming mukha. She smiled at me warmly. Even with her swollen eyes, she's still pretty. I stared at her face that made me remembered a lot of memories from the past. Kamukha niya talaga si Athena kahit sa anong anggulo. Athena was like a carbon copy of her mother.
"Kamusta ka na, 'nak?" nakangiting tanong niya.
"Good, Tita. Kayo po?"
"Ayos lang din naman."
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at sumilip sa kaniyang likuran baka sakaling makita ko siya. Makita ko si Athena. But to my disappointment, I saw no one.
I looked at Tita Ange again and saw that she's staring at me intently. I smiled and opened my mouth to utter a word.
"Tita, nasaan po si A---"
"TITA ANGELICA!"
Natigilan ako at agad tinikom ang bibig ng narinig ang malakas at matinis na boses na iyon. Sabay kami ni tita'ng lumingon sa kaliwa namin.
My mouth literally dropped when I saw a very familiar girl walking like she's in a runway. With her spaghetti strapped black dress, stilletos and sunglasses , she walked towards us confidently, chin up and stomach in.
"M-Mathilde Ramos?" I uttered as soon as she stopped right in front of us.
She pulled up her sunglasses on her head before looking at me from head to toe. Her brow quirked up and she grimaced.
"Elaine..." Napalingon ako kay Tita Ange nang tawagin niya ako. She clung her arm on Mathilde's as she smiled at me. "This is Mathilde, my niece. Mathilde, this is Elaine, Athena's best friend."
My mouth formed into an 'O' when she mentioned the "niece".
"Well, Tita, we already know each other. You see, she mentioned my name earlier, 'no!" maarteng sabi ni Mathilde at pinitik ang kaniyang buhok.
"I know. I just want to formally introduced you to Elaine. Don't be such a brat."
"I am not!" Umirap si tita sa kaniya bago ako tinignan nang nakangiti.
"Sige, aalis na kami, Elaine, ha? Gonna catch up with you soon. May lakad pa kami, eh."
Tumango ako. "Sure, Tita! Here's my calling card. Call me anytime," I said smilingly as I fished out my calling card from my wallet and handed it to her.
Ngumiti si Tita at tinanggap ang calling card ko. "I surely will."
I nodded again as I gaze at Mathilde who's looking at me sharply. I saw how her jaw clenched and her eyes were ignited with anger? pity?. I stared at her intently and when she noticed it, she looked away.
What was that for?
"We'll be going now," paalam ni Tita. I bid my good bye as well.
They turned their backs at me but then Mathilde looked back at me and saw a sarcastic smile on her luscious lips before they disappear on my sight.
Mathilde's actions made me in a deep confusion. What was that? What the hell?
Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko bago nagpatuloy sa pamimili. When I am done, I immediately went to the counter to pay and went home after.
Dali-dali kong nilapag sa sink ang pinamili ko nang makitang alas onse na. Shit! I hope he's not out for a lunch meeting or something.
I promptly cooked the food. When I am done, I put it on a tupperware before putting it on a paper bag. Nilinis ko na din ang pinaglulutoan ko bago lumabas ng bahay.
Dali-dali akong sumakay sa aking kotse at agad itong pinaharurot. I did not bother to change and eat my lunch before driving my way towards his company. Okay lang naman itong suot ko at doon nalang din ako kakain kasabay niya kung sakaling hindi pa siya nagla-lunch.
I did not even have the time to be amaze at the very sterling and gigantic tower in front of me even if it's my first time to be here since I am in a hurry. It's already quarter to 1:00. Blame the heavy traffic along the way. Damn.
Dumiretso ako sa reception. The receptionist automatically smiled and greeted me. I did the same thing.
"How may I help you, ma'am?"
"Is Mister Zeige Alcante around?" I asked, a little bit impatient.
Her lips form into an 'o' before she nodded and gestured me to wait and called someone .
"Hello, is Mister Alcante available?... Someone's looking for him... Okay...." She looked at me as she covered the lower part of the telephone. "Sino daw po sila?"
Lumunok ako. "Just tell him it's Elaine."
Tumango siya. "Elaine daw po.... Oh... Yes, okay. Sure."
Binaba niya ang telepono bago ako tinignan nang nakangiti. "Diretso lang po kayo sa 10th floor. Nagiisa lang naman ang opisina doon."
I thanked her before walking my way towards the elevator. Pinindot ko ang 10th floor bago ko inayos ang buhok ko at tinignan ang repleksyon ko sa nakasaradong pinto ng elevator.
I must say that mas approachable ang mga tao dito. Hindi katulad doon sa kompanya nila Kenji na saksakan ng taray.
The moment the elevator stopped and opened, a girl, which I think was his secretary, greeted me and guide me.
"Dito, Miss," sabi niya sabay katok sa pinto ng nagiisang kwarto dito.
"Sir, nandito na po siya," malakas na wika niya.
"Let her come in," malamig na saad ni Zeiger mula sa loob.
Sinulyapan ako nung secretary bago siya tumango at bumalik sa kaniyang table. Binuksan ko naman ang pinto ng opisina niya.
Pumasok ako sa loob at agad isinara ang pinto at nilibot ang aking paningin sa kaniyang opisina.
His office was a bit dark since the huge glass window was covered by a curtain. Malawak ang kaniyang opisina. There's a sala set, a flat screen tv, bookshelves, and his office table na may sandamakmak na mga folders at papeles. There's also a fur carpet on the marbled floor.
My eyes landed on the man sitting on his black swivel chair, jotting something on his laptop, with his specs on. He looks damn serious as his eyes gaze from the laptop and to the papers.
"You're just going to stare at me the whole time?"
"Ayyleche!" gulat na usal ko sabay sapo sa aking dibdib.
Tumingin siya sa gawi ko at tinaasan ako ng kilay. Ngumuso naman ako bago dahan-dahang lumapit sa gawi niya at mahigpit ang kapit sa paper bag na aking dala.
Inilapag ko ang paper bag sa coffee table at uupo na sana sa couch nang magsalita siya.
"Dito ka," he said as he gestured the swivel chair in front of his table while still reading something on the papers.
May dalawa kasing mas maliit na swivel chair sa harap ng table niya.
Ngumuso ulit ako at naglakad patungo doon at naupo. He took off his specs at pinisil ang gilid ng kaniyang mga mata.
"You look busy," ani ko.
"I am."
Naitikom ko ang bibig ko sa diretsang sagot niya. Agad bumalatay sa akin ang hiya. Shit! I shouldn't have come here. I'm sure I am disturbing him.
Tuloyan na siyang tumigil sa kaniyang ginagawa at sumandal sa kaniyang upoan. He put his elbows on the arm rest and intertwined his fingers, his lips was kissing his hands as his eyes gawped at me with his face was stern.
Nakanguso ko lang siyang tinignan. Nilagay ko ang aking kamay sa aking kandungan at pinaglalaruan ang aking mga daliri.
Binuka ko ang bibig ko para magsalita ngumiti natigilan ako nang tumunog ang isang hindi kaaya-ayang tunog sa aking tiyan. Oh God.
I bit my bottom lip as I looked away, feeling so embarrassed. Jusko naman!
"You haven't eaten yet?" Agad akong tumango.
I ran my fingers through my hair and I slowly looked at me. His brows were creased and his lips in a grim line. Sinulyapan niya ang paperbag na nasa coffee table at bumuntong hininga.
I was even shocked when he stood up and loosened his necktie. Inayos din niya ang pagkatupi ng sleeves ng puting polo niya before he stepped and turned around to treads my way.
He lended me his hand as I stared at it, eyes widening a bit. Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa kaniyang mukha at nakitang nakanguso na siya; pinipigilan ang kaniyang ngiti.
"Let's eat," he said, eyes dancing with amusement.
"Hindi ka pa kumain?" tanong ko at agad tinanggap ang kamay niya para tulongan akong tumayo.
Agad kong binawi ang aking kamay at nagpatiunang maglakad. Adrenaline was kicking inside me. I need to calm down.
I heave a sigh at naunang umupo sa couch. Tinignan ko si Zeiger na dahan-dahang naglakad patungo sa gawi ko nang nakangisi. Pinilit kong ikunot ang noo ko at samaan siya ng tingin kahit na ang totoo'y kinikilig ako sa paraan ng pagtitig niya.
I looked away and starts to fixed the foods as he seated beside me. Umusog ako ng kaunti.
"I already ate."
I stopped halfway and glanced at him. I cleared my throat, trying to pushed away the disappointment that's slowly rising within me. Ibinalik ko ang ilalabas ko sanang tupperware na para sa kaniya sa paperbag.
"Oh... Okay. Dito nalang ako kakain, ha? I thought you haven't eaten yet. Natagalan kasi ako," I said as I awkwardly laughed.
Hindi ko siya matignan. I don't have the right to feel bad. Hindi ko kasalanan na kumain na siya, at mas lalong hindi niya kasalanan na kumain ng maaga.
"Hey, para kanino 'yan?"
Napakurap ako at nilingon si Zeiger na nginunguso ang paper bag. Gusto ko siyang irapan. Wasn't it obvious?
"Uh... sayo." I shrugged and tried to act normal as I opened my tupperware and held the utensils.
Wala sa sariling nagsimula akong kumain nang biglang dumukwang si Zeiger at kinuha ang paper bag. Natigilan man ay nagawa ko pa din siyang tignan.
He took the tupperware out of the paper bag, then he looked at me.
Nangangapa ako ng salita at hindi alam kung saan tumingin. Napaayos ako ng upo.
"A-Akala ko ba tapos ka nang kumain?" nagugulohang tanong ko.
Itinabi niya ang paper bag at binuksan ang tupperware. "Yeah. But I didn't say I won't eat the food you brought."
Nakatitig pa din ako sa kaniya habang nagsisimula na siyang sumubo.
"Baby, staring is rude."
Oh shit.
Wala sa sariling umiwas ako ng tingin at sumubo agad ako ng pagkain dahil sa gulat. I heard Zeiger chuckled making me glared at him. Natigilan lang ako nang iangat niya ang kamay niya at naramdaman ko ito sa aking mukha. He wiped something on the side of lips as his lips rose a bit.
"Eat carefully, Elaine."
Bigla akong nabilaukan at ang damuho ay tumawa lang. Tinignan ko siya ng masama pero nanatili siyang nakangisi.
"I told you to eat carefully, right?" he said and stood up.
Kinuha niya ang tubig na nasa mesa niya bago bumalik habang binubuksan ang bote at binigay sa akin iyon.
I immediately drank it up. Pinunasan ko ang bibig ko gamit ang likod ng palad ko bago inilapag ang bote sa mesa.
Nagsimula na ulit kaming kumain. I asked him about his day as we ate. He would immediately answered me back shortly, but it's okay. As long as he's answering, he's not avoiding me, it's okay.
Nang matapos ay agad kong inayos ang pinagkainan namin. Nilingon ko si Zeiger na nanatiling nakaupo sa tabi ko habang nakasandal ang batok sa sandalan at nakapikit. Hapon pa nga lang, pero mukha na siyang pagod.
"You won't go to your shops?" Napaigtad ako sa biglaang tanong niya.
"Ah hindi muna. My shops can run even without me for a day."
Nagmulat siya ng mata. His lips rose a bit. "Really?"
I protruded my lips before nodding my head.
"So won't mind if we'll go out today?" he said, eyes glistening with amusement.
My jaw literally dropped and my eyes widened in shock.
"G-Go out?" gulantang tanong ko.
"Yeah. Go out, on a date."
My cheeks heated up as I looked away. "D-Diba busy ka? At kailangan ka ng k-kompanya---"
"My company can run even without me for a day," he said, imitating what I just said earlier, and he winked.
Napanguso ako at tinaasan siya ng kilay. He raised his brow as well.
"Ayaw mo?"
"Hindi naman... I mean...uh... Gusto ko pero---"
Bigla siyang tumayo at kinuha ang kamay ko. "No, buts."
Napanganga ako at napatitig sa kamay niyang unti-unting pinagsisiklop ang mga daliri namin. I bit my bottom lip and heave a sigh to calm myself. My heart's booming rapidly and loudly again.
"Let's go?"
Inangat ko ang ulo ko at sinalubong ang kaniyang madilim at malalim na mga mata.
Those eyes that could make me feel nervous whenever I looked at it, but I still love how his stares affect me. I love what his gaze made me feel.
I licked my dry lips and I nodded.
"Okay." I smiled.
__________